Cream Cheese Frosting made with Cream

Steps

1. NOTE: This recipe is best made in a stand mixer, because the powerful motor has a greater ability to beat the cream peaks. Use the whisk attachment. You can make this with a hand mixer! You have to be beating at the highest speed possible the entire time you are adding the cream. Get someone to help if possible!

2. In a stand mixer or a large bowl, add 2 (8-oz) packages of COLD full fat cream cheese and 1 cup of granulated sugar. Beat with the whisk attachment or with the hand mixer for at least 2 minutes, until it is very smooth and creamy. Stop to scrape down the sides of the bowl halfway through.

3. Add 1 and 1/2 teaspoons vanilla and 1 and 1/2 teaspoons fresh squeezed lemon juice. Add 3/4 teaspoon kosher salt (only use 1/4 or 1/2 teaspoon if all you have is table salt.) Beat 1 minute until totally incorporated, scraping the edges of the bowl and beating again.

4. Get your VERY cold cream out of the fridge. Don't let it sit out on the counter! If you are using a hand mixer, it's helpful to put the cream in the freezer for 5 minutes before using it, to make sure it's extremely cold.

5. With the mixer on high speed, add 1 and 1/2 cups cream—only 1 tablespoon at a time. You don't need to measure this, just eyeball it. Add a small amount of cream and make sure that it is fully incorporated into the cream cheese before adding more. Keep the mixer on high speed! Wear an apron!

6. The cream and cream cheese mixture will eventually form peaks, just like whipped cream. You will be able to drag a spoon or beater through it and see marks. See notes for troubleshooting.

7. Keep the frosting chilled in the fridge until you are ready to use it for your cake. I love this frosting with Spice Cake (use the scaled up version in the notes) or Red Velvet Cake.

8. Optional: Give your frosting a taste. It's quite tangy. If you like a sweeter frosting, add powdered sugar 1 tablespoon at a time (up to 1/2 cup) until it is the sweetness level you like.

9. Store this cream cheese frosting in the fridge!